AFM seize contraband cigarettes

A quantity of contraband cigarettes were seized by the crew of an AFM patrol boat after they intercepted a cabin cruiser navigating without lights in Grand Harbour, the AFM said tonight.

The AFM said the soldiers became suspicious because of the cabin cruiser's movements. As the patrol boat approached the cruiser, a man was seen throwing an object into the sea and then switching on his vessel's navigation lights.

The AFM personnel immediately detained the vessel and found 47 stacks of cigarettes in the bag which had been thrown into the sea.

The AFM said the cabin cruiser's driver owned a resupply barge that had just been alongside a merchant ship in harbour. He was immediately arrested and handed to the police for further investigation.